{"title":"Harm masked as help: vending vape addiction inside our SUD treatment programs","authors":"Bill Stauffer","doi":"10.1002/adaw.35075","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adaw.35075","url":null,"abstract":"<p>A close colleague of mine who runs a nonprofit in our field recently forwarded a sales pitch from the company The Detox Solution. This company sells nicotine vending machines to be placed within substance use treatment facilities. On the Detox Solution website, the slogan to promote the placement of these machines is “Recovery is hard enough.” To sell their vape, they cite the National Institute on Drug Abuse and a study on cigarettes showing cessation is associated with a 42% higher likelihood of recovering from substance use disorder. That study did not consider vaping. We know that tobacco use is associated with a heightened risk of relapse among individuals in recovery. The evidence is not there to support the claim that shifting the delivery device to vape supports recovery. There is a growing body of literature showing that vaping is deleterious to overall health and may be deleterious to long-term recovery from substance use disorders (SUD) by maintaining nicotine dependence and the repeated engagement of neural reward and reinforcement systems that overlap with those involved in other addictions.</p>","PeriodicalId":100073,"journal":{"name":"Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly","volume":"38 39","pages":"5-6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149146277","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Prevention workforce assessed for the first time: SAMHSA and NASADAD uncover barriers to retention","authors":"Alison Knopf","doi":"10.1002/adaw.35071","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adaw.35071","url":null,"abstract":"<p>People who choose to work in substance use prevention do so out of “altruism,” according to the first-ever assessment of the prevention workforce. But the pay is so low and the job security so poor that substance use prevention workers are hard to recruit and retain in the workforce. The assessment is a report, “The Substance Use Prevention Workforce: Results of a National Assessment,” which was ordered by Congress in 2024 in recognition of the need for a prevention workforce and which directed the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to “complete a comprehensive national study regarding the substance use prevention workforce.” Congress directed SAMHSA to consult with the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Agency Directors (NASADAD) and other stakeholders in developing the report, which was released in September.</p>","PeriodicalId":100073,"journal":{"name":"Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly","volume":"38 39","pages":"1-4"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149146274","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"OASAS launches faith-based initiative with $250,000 to help congregations fight SUD","authors":"Alison Knopf","doi":"10.1002/adaw.35074","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adaw.35074","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In September, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a new program funded by $250,000 to help state faith leaders provide addiction preventive education and to equip faith-based organizations with naloxone and other resources. The initiative, Guided Recovery Action through Congregational Engagement (GRACE), is a combined effort by the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) and the New York State Interfaith Advisory Council. The governor originally proposed GRACE in her State of the State message on January 13.</p>","PeriodicalId":100073,"journal":{"name":"Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly","volume":"38 39","pages":"4-7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149146699","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Coming Up…","authors":"","doi":"10.1002/adaw.35076","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adaw.35076","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The 2026 <b>California Society of Addiction Medicine</b> (CSAM) annual conference will be held <b>October 21-24</b> in Garden Grove, California. For more information, go to https://www.csam-asam.org/events/2026-annual-conference</p>","PeriodicalId":100073,"journal":{"name":"Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly","volume":"38 39","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149146276","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"In Case You Haven't Heard…","authors":"","doi":"10.1002/adaw.35070","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adaw.35070","url":null,"abstract":"<p>When President Trump went to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, for the football game against Texas on September 26, security was tight. In an effort to get fans in the doors early, the stadium offered beers at half price — but only between 9 and 10 a.m. Only two beers were allowed at one time, but patrons could come back as often as they wanted during that hour for the discount. The Texas Longhorns defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 20 to 17. By that point, who cared?</p>","PeriodicalId":100073,"journal":{"name":"Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly","volume":"38 38","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149099300","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"GAO: DEA, FDA lack procedures guiding drug scheduling decisions","authors":"Gary Enos","doi":"10.1002/adaw.35064","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adaw.35064","url":null,"abstract":"<p>At a time when addiction field professionals and advocates await a decision on the possible rescheduling of marijuana, a report from Congress's Government Accountability Office (GAO) has uncovered gaps in the overall evaluations conducted by the federal agencies involved in all drug scheduling decision-making processes.</p>","PeriodicalId":100073,"journal":{"name":"Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly","volume":"38 38","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149099341","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The ‘Mythsteria’ of Methadone","authors":"Rob Kent Esq.","doi":"10.1002/adaw.35067","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adaw.35067","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Having worked on drug policy for the last two decades, I know that the use of methadone to treat opioid use disorder still generates more debate, conversation, misinformation and misplaced fear than other policy issues in this space.</p>","PeriodicalId":100073,"journal":{"name":"Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly","volume":"38 38","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149099298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Seafield CEO shares ideas, stresses that the top problem is housing","authors":"Alison Knopf","doi":"10.1002/adaw.35063","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adaw.35063","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Managing a substance use disorder (SUD) treatment program has challenges, but housing is the biggest one, according to Mark Epley, CEO of the Seafield Center in Westhampton Beach, New York. His program is located in one of the most expensive parts of the country — the Hamptons region in Long Island. But housing is, in fact, driving the downfall of many people with SUD who are seeking recovery, which is difficult to attain without a stable place to live.</p>","PeriodicalId":100073,"journal":{"name":"Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly","volume":"38 38","pages":"1-5"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149099295","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Is the Opposite of Connection a Biased AI Chatbot?","authors":"Bill Stauffer","doi":"10.1002/adaw.35065","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adaw.35065","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Artificial Intelligence (AI) is our newest societal panacea. Like many other advancements, we overestimate its potential benefits and underestimate its probable downsides. Unlike prior innovations, AI magnifies our errors in judgments and biases in ways that have the potential to erode our society and make those challenges less visible to us even as it causes us harm. There is perhaps no greater example of this truth than in how AI may be harnessed to support our understanding and amelioration of substance use conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":100073,"journal":{"name":"Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly","volume":"38 38","pages":"3-4"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149099296","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"NA surveys differences between members' use of MOUD","authors":"Alison Knopf","doi":"10.1002/adaw.35066","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adaw.35066","url":null,"abstract":"<p>What are the differences between Narcotics Anonymous (NA) attendees with opioid use as their primary problem who have taken or are taking medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) compared to those who have not? With the goal of improving treatment, veteran researchers looked into this via a survey. They found that 22.4% of the more than 4,300 people surveyed were on MOUD when they attended their first NA meeting, and 7.3% were still on MOUD at the time of the survey. Differences between those currently taking MOUD and those not taking it were that those taking MOUD had.</p>","PeriodicalId":100073,"journal":{"name":"Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly","volume":"38 38","pages":"7-8"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149099297","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}